If you’re looking into treatment options for asthma, you may want to learn more about Fasenra and its cost. Fasenra is a prescription drug used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children.
Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It comes as an injection given under the skin.
Keep reading for details on Fasenra injections and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on Fasenra, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Fasenra can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Fasenra injections if you choose this option.
To find out how much Fasenra will cost per month, talk with your doctor, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fasenra and cost.
Why is Fasenra so expensive?
The cost per injection of Fasenra depends on many factors. These include:
- if you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
- your dosage
- the dosage form
- how often you receive the medication
The Fasenra injection price may be higher if you’re getting the injection at your doctor’s office (they may have a fee for this service), rather than giving it to yourself at home.
Fasenra is a biologic drug. Biologics are made from living cells that take years of research to develop. Biologics that treat rare conditions such as severe eosinophilic asthma are sometimes more expensive to develop and market. They’re also only available through specialty pharmacies. Injectable biologic drugs are also more expensive than oral dosage forms you take by mouth.
To find out about possible cost-saving options, talk with your doctor or insurance provider (if you have one). Also take a look at “Can I get help paying for Fasenra?” below for more helpful tips.
How much does Fasenra cost without insurance?
This depends on several factors. Your cost without insurance may be higher when you begin treatment because you’ll receive it more often. As you continue with treatment, you’ll receive Fasenra less often so your cost may be less.
Other factors that affect your cost without insurance include:
- the pharmacy you use (check around to compare prices)
- if you give it yourself at home or receive it at your doctor’s office
- if you use a cost savings coupon
To learn more about the cost of Fasenra, you can speak with your doctor. You can also see “Can I get help paying for Fasenra?” below for more helpful tips on ways to save on this drug’s cost.
Is the cost of Fasenra covered by Medicare?
Maybe. This depends on your particular Medicare plan. Not all plans cover every medication. Certain plans may not cover biologic drugs. Or your doctor may have to provide prior authorization to get Fasenra approved by your Medicare plan.
To learn more about whether Fasenra is covered by your plan, call your plan provider representative, or ask your doctor.
Fasenra only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s a kind of biologic drug. A
Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to
12 years . When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.
If you take Fasenra long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Fasenra if approved by your insurance company. This could help lower the cost of Fasenra if you’re giving the medication to yourself at home. To find out if you’re eligible to receive a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Fasenra if you’re giving injections to yourself. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order if you’re eligible. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest other savings options that work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of Fasenra or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
A program called the Fasenra 360 savings program may also be available for this drug. You can learn more about this program from the manufacturer’s website.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of Fasenra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Fasenra.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Does my dosage of Fasenra affect the monthly cost of the medication?
- Would I save on the cost of Fasenra if I use it less often?
- Are there other medications for my condition that are less expensive?
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.